Fil-Am Hollywood actor Michael Copon is Bruno Mars’ front act

FILIPINO-AMERICAN Hollywood actor Michael Copon, who almost played the role of Jacob Black in the Twilight movies, and Troy in the hit series High School Musical says he’d like to work with actress Anne Curtis or sing with Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo if given the chance.

Copon, who is here in the country to do the front act for the two-day concert of Bruno Mars, says he’s open to doing some projects in the country despite his busy schedule in Hollywood.

“I would love to do some projects here, maybe a song with Sarah [Geronimo] or even a movie with Anne [Curtis],” he said at a press conference at The Fort’s swanky Establishment on Tuesday.Copon says he’s already met Anne when he went out with her together with a group of friends that also included Solenn Heusaff and Georgina Wilson.

The actor who has been described as an “Ethnic James Dean” recounted for the local press some of the biggest projects he has done. Copon has had a pretty illustrious career in Hollywood so far. After graduating from Deep Creek High School, he decided to forego a career in football and turned his attention on acting and music. He snagged his first big role in 2001 as Lucas Kendall, the Blue Ranger, in the hit TV series Power Rangers Time Force. He then honed his dramatic flair through guest appearances on subsequent TV shows such as One Tree Hill, Even Stevens, Scrubs, Reno 911, That’s So Raven, Beyond the Break, Greek, CSI Miami and the CBS remake of Hawaii 5-0.

He has also starred in several movies such as The Scorpion King II: Rise of the Warrior, Night of the Demons and Boyband and has made a few noteworthy film appearances in Dishdogz, Sideliners, All You’ve Got, Elevator and Bring It On: In It To Win It.

In 2005, Copon bested eight other celebrity contestants (including Morgan Fairchild, Antonio Sabato, Jr., and Bai Ling) in the VH1 reality TV show, But Can They Sing? He also modeled for Old Navy, Sketchers, Nike, Reebok and Gap.

Asked about the part of Jacob in Twilight, the Fil-Am hunk recounted that he would have gotten the role if it hadn’t been for the change in directors. “Originally, the first director was fired and then there was confusion if I still had the role because there were talks about keeping the same cast. Taylor [Lautner], who eventually landed the role and I had the same agent then.”

As for the part of Troy in High School Musical, Copon said he and Zack Efron were among the final two choices for the role. “We were being paired with Vanessa [Hudgens] in different test shots to see which pair looks better on-cam.” “I think it was my height that did me in. I’m way taller than Vanessa and Zac’s height [5’10”] was closer to hers [5’1”]—plus I didn’t look much of a teen so I knew it wouldn’t work out.”

Although he missed out on such big roles, Copon said he believed it is just a matter of time. “Everyone waits to be famous and what I learned from this business is to persevere and remain persistent. You have to strengthen your tool and be ready to be able to do everything when the time comes—whether it is acting or singing.”

Copon said he’s been working on writing and producing his own album and told The Manila Times that he has already written around 80 songs. He promises to give audiences a taste of his music when he performs at the two-night concert of fellow Fil-Am Bruno Mars scheduled on April 7 at Waterfront Hotel Cebu, and April 8 at the Araneta Coliseum.

His parents originally hailed from Rosario, Cavite, before his father, a US Navy, moved the family to Cheesepeake, Virginia. He said it was his dad’s karaoke nights that led to his love for music.

After the concert, Copon will be flying back to the US for some prior engagements, but hopes to comeback sooner than the planned concert of Miley Cyrus which his agent Music Management International had announced for June 17.